Process of making wash mitts



1, W. J. LORENz PROCESS OF MAKING WASH MI'ITTS Filed Dec. 29, 1948 WALZA CE .1. LORENZ INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to an improved process of making wash mitts preferably of sponge rubber or the like which can be readily slipped over the hand of the user for a multitude of washing operations.

An important object of this invention is to provide a process of manufacturing a sponge rubber wash mitt or the like which is molded in duplicate or other multiple form and then readily separated to provide individual elements.

Other and further important objects will become apparent from study of the accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of the improved wash mitt of this invention, showing the same as preferably molded in a double embodiment.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the mitt.

Figure 3 is an end view showing the hand openings of the double molded mitt.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the two portions of one molded element after being separated to form individual mitts.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numerals l and I2 indicate re- 1 spectively the two portions of the improved wash mitt of this invention and the same are preferably composed of molded sponge rubber or some other suitable material. Obviously the material and the shape and contour of the mitts may be varied as desired.

It is a known and recognized fact that in molding sponge rubber an outer skin or filament results. This outer skin is inevitable in the molding operation due to the contact of the rubber with the inner smooth faces of the mold.

It is also a well recognized fact that a smooth surface is not particularly suitable for a washing operation, but the sponge rubber with its inherent interstices is highly desirable for this purpose.

:As illustrated in the drawings, the mitt is molded in duplicate or even more multiple portions with the hand openings I4 incorporated into the structure and these hand openings may or may not include offset portions It.

When the molding operation is completed the outer surface of the resultant product is quite smooth as indicated but the two portions are then cut apart on a plane indicated at l8 in Figure 3 1 Claim. (Cl. 1855) whereupon two complete mitts result as shown in Figure 4, each of the mitts having a sponge rubber surface 20 whereby it is immediately available for washing and like operations.

If a mitt is desired having two operating faces a triple mold can be employed whereby the cen tral mitt when cut apart from the others will have opposed faces, each including the spon y consistency, and obviously this operation can be carried on into further multiples.

However, the double construction has been found quite efficient in that plurality of mitts. each with two different faces, results, making the same adaptable for additional operations.

It will be noted that herein is provided a. wash mitt and process for making the same which is quite efilcient and less expensive to manufacture while at the same time providing a construction which can be readily adapted to a great variety of needs.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide rangev without departing from the principles of this invention and I, therefore, do not propose limitingthe patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated "by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

A method of making wash mitts comprising molding a quantity of sponge rubber to the desired shape and dimensions and with two openings therein and then separating the molded material into two portions, the separating cut being made along an intermediate longitudinal plane whereby two mitts, each having an opening therein and at least one porous surface, result.

WALLACE J. LORENZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,480,376 Dabney Jan. 8, 1924 1,602,624 North Oct. 12, 1926 1,884,659 Gould Oct. 25, 1932 1,974,548 Somogyi Sept. 25, 1934 2,034,169 Alefantis Mar. 17, 1936 2,071,647 Miller Feb. 23, 1937 2,190,376 Daley Feb. 13, 1940 2,296,305 Roberts Sept. 22, 1942 

